The City of Memphis will be working with Scotland County again as the two bodies agreed in principal to an agreement to have the Scotland County Sheriffís Department provide joint dispatching for both the sheriffís department and the Memphis Police Department.

The Memphis City Council voted 4-0 at its August 4 meeting to accept a proposal from the county to return to the service.

Both governing bodies agreed that it was in the best interest of the community to have the dispatching services in a central location while sharing the costs for providing the service to the entire community.

Commissioner Win Hill attended the August city council meeting as a follow up to the letter the county sent to the city in July with a new proposal for the service. The new agreement calls for an annual fee of $20,000 to be paid by the city to the county for the service and allows for a two-percent annual cost of living increase.

The council voted to have a contract prepared by city attorney David Peppard to be presented at the September meeting for approval.

Roof Bids

The council received two bids for installation of a new roof on the cityís property located on Monroe Street across from Hopkins Lumber. The building, which formerly housed the ďgarment factoryĒ currently is being rented by a fiberglass company.

Memphis Lumber submitted a bid of $21,910.35 for materials and labor to install a new metal roof on the building. C & C Contracting entered a bid of $23,671.28. The council voted 4-0 to accept the low bid from Memphis Lumber. A representative of the company indicated the project would be scheduled in September.

Bank Bids

The council considered a pair of bids for the cityís depository services. U.S Bank submitted a bid of an average of 3.01 percent interest over the two-year contract period. Bank of Kirksville, the cityís current financial contract holder, entered a bid of 3.455 percent on the cityís accounts for either a one or two-year contract agreement.

City Treasurer Michele Drummond reported reviewing both bids and recommended the council accept the higher rate bid from Bank of Kirksville. The council followed her recommendation, accepting the bid by a 3-0 vote and implementing the one-year contract with the Bank of Kirksville for the cityís interest-bearing checking accounts and money market accounts.

Handicap Ramp

The Scotland County Pharmacy presented a request for city approval for the installation of a handicap ramp in front of the business, which is located on the south side of the Memphis city square. The pharmacy also requested the creation of a handicap parking space adjacent to the ramp.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the parking space and the ramp project.

The business will submit a construction plan to street superintendent Roy Monroe prior to beginning the construction.

The council also approved a request from citizen Laura Schenk to install a handicap parking area to be located behind the Scotland County Genealogical Society located just off the northwest corner of the square.

Water Breaks

Superintendent Dennis Howard was unable to attend the August meeting as the water crew was working on a water break. His written report indicated the department had experienced 24 water breaks in the month of July.

Alderman Lucas Remley suggested the council meet with Howard to discuss options for replacing the water line on Clay Street, where the majority of the problems were being experienced.

Howardís report also indicated in the next few weeks the city will be receiving a report from the water tower inspection that was completed July 21st.

Lights

Work is progressing on the cityís project to replace the lights and poles on the square. Superintendent Dave Kittle reported the project was progressing, noting all the old lights and poles had been removed and much of the underground wiring had been installed. Kittle asked the council for permission to solicit bids for the sale of the old poles and lights. The council agreed to sell the surplus property by the piece, with bids to be opened at the September 1st council meeting.

Firemen

The council voted 4-0 to honor a request by the Memphis Fire Department to increase the disability coverage offered to the volunteer firemen. Under the previous coverage, an injured fireman received just $200 a week during the first 28 days a fire-related injury kept him out of work. Under the new agreement, an injured fireman would receive $600 per week during that same time span. The added coverage will cost the city $567 per year.

Inspection

Alderman Ron Gardner asked that the property at 134 S. Market Street (on the southeast corner of the square) be reviewed by the city building inspector. Gardner asked that a report be sent to the city attorney so that a letter could be drafted to the property owner stating any needed repairs to bring the building up to safety and health standards.

Building Permits

The council approved three building permits. Plans were submitted by Kim Nicoli for a garage, Charles and Nancy Harris for a house and Rick and Greta Slocum for a house.

The council also voted 4-0 to grant a variance to allow Brian and Cindy Brush to place a manufactured home on their property on Watkins Street. City ordinance requires that a building permit for placement of a manufactured home in an area other than a designated mobile home park, requires the signed approval of all adjoining landowners. The Brush permit failed to receive approval from one adjoining property owner. The variance allowed the permit to be approved as presented.